Wolters Kluwer Health may email you for journal alerts and information, but is committed
to maintaining your privacy and will not share your personal information without
your express consent. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

Abstract

Purpose: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) classically raises with increased erythropoiesis, along with the rise in erythropoietin (EPO). However, the specific effect of altitude-induced erythropoiesis on sTfR remains poorly documented. This study investigated the response of sTfR during high-altitude exposure in human and verified that sTfR was related to EPO response in this case.

Results: In experiment A, progressive decompression from SL to 8000 m induced a large parallel rise in EPO (33.8-fold) and sTfR (5.9-fold), whereas ferritin was dramatically decreased and iron intake reduced. RCV was increased after 31 d of decompression. In experiment B, EPO peaked at day 3 at 4350 m, then declined later at altitude and returned to baseline values at RSL, whereas sTfR progressively rose at altitude (+86%) and remained elevated during RSL (+64%). Ferritin progressively declined at 4350 m, whereas iron intake was unchanged. RCV was not enhanced after exposure to 4350 m.

Conclusion: In summary, sTfR mirrors EPO response for a given level of altitude hypoxia but differs from EPO response during transitory phases, such as early acclimatization or reoxygenation. Analysis of sTfR may therefore account for altitude-related erythropoiesis, at a time when EPO is blunted.

Enter and submit the email address you registered with. An email with instructions to reset your password will be sent to that address.

Email:

Password Sent

Link to reset your password has been sent to specified email address.

Remember me

What does "Remember me" mean?
By checking this box, you'll stay logged in until you logout. You'll get easier access to your articles, collections,
media, and all your other content, even if you close your browser or shut down your
computer.

To protect your most sensitive data and activities (like changing your password),
we'll ask you to re-enter your password when you access these services.

What if I'm on a computer that I share with others?
If you're using a public computer or you share this computer with others, we recommend
that you uncheck the "Remember me" box.